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To: Pollard
It's officially an AG tractor with lug tires in back and skinny tri-rib up front. Now I just need some AG attachments.

Started putting water in the radiator and saw water running down the side of the engine block. The engine block heater is leaking. It's installed in a freeze plug hole. Tighten a screw and the rubber expands and seals it, or did. Gonna pull it out and see why it's leaking. Could be a crack in the rubber. It's made specifically for this engine which is a 1981 so the rubber was likely 40 years old when I bought it. Might get lucky and find another one. If not, it will be getting a regular freeze plug put back in it, preferably brass. Glow plugs work just fine to start it in any temperature I want to drive it in. I tried plowing snow with it back in the day. Tractor's too light for that and it's not 4wd.

I'm putting off pulling the radiator for when it gets warm for more than a few days. Never been able to tighten the fan belt. Next size down in belt won't even go on. I may end up adding an adjustable idler pulley. That and other repair/fab work will take some time. Fix the freeze plug and I'll be able to use it a little.

386 posted on 02/18/2026 10:50:27 AM PST by Pollard
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To: Pollard
The engine block heater is leaking. It's installed in a freeze plug hole. Tighten a screw and the rubber expands and seals it, or did. Gonna pull it out and see why it's leaking. Could be a crack in the rubber. It's made specifically for this engine which is a 1981 so the rubber was likely 40 years old when I bought it.

The old Chrysler 318 engines had a problem with those plugs, and those compressed rubber plugs worked good. Later, the diesel engines on the Mercedes trucks (not as good as Int.) used engine block heater, as well as a starting fluid system. Did not work well below 32F IIRC, and so we often pulled them. International engines started better in cold.

never been able to tighten the fan belt.

If an adjustable as here, maybe grind some more space?

388 posted on 02/18/2026 12:00:53 PM PST by daniel1212 (Turn 2 the Lord Jesus who saves damned+destitute sinners on His acct, believe, b baptized+follow HIM)
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To: Pollard

AGCO? Massey Ferguson?


394 posted on 02/18/2026 2:18:21 PM PST by Pete from Shawnee Mission ( )
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